Seeing Beauty in Difference
Thursday, May 04, 2006
bUrbanity, Tolerance & Public Space: The Creation of Cosmopolitansb
bCities expose, confront, and if cosmopolitan, accept and appreciate differences. Chinatowns, Little Italy’s, and Jewish Quarters, scattered across large cities in the United States preserve culture while living under the far reaching scopes of the laws of this nation. If a community is governed by negative tolerance, one will put up with differences only because they are unaware of such discrepancies or because the difference has no effect on one’s life. Negative tolerance gives way to the “out of sight, out of mind” principle. In Amsterdam, then, is the Red Light district tolerated simply because people never have to venture into the area to satisfy any needs? Do they simply put up with the District because what occurs there does not affect their lives in any way? What if, however, drug use and crime from the area spilled over into their community? Would they then have such feelings of tolerance? With positive tolerance, however, one is understanding of and appreciative of another individuals realized differences, even when these differences play a role in the interaction of these individuals. In this case, then, an individual who positively tolerates the Red Light District, would do so knowingly because they understand and accept the actions that occur in the area. How can we get people to act positively tolerant, learning to value differences, rather than feeling the need to overcome them? In a large diverse city, it is only natural that differences will exist between citizens. But recognition of this fact, coupled with an appreciation for these differences, is the basis of cosmopolitanism. A “good city,” is one in which these differences are recognized while still living civilly. At the same time though, one must be able to exercise autonomy, making the decision to have close contact with another individual with noted differences, stemming from the idea that one can only be tolerant if they so choose to be. It is in public spaces that people can learn that individuals with differences can act together without the necessity of being the same. These differences must be viewed as meaningful in public spaces, so that people can learn to love the richness that differences bring to the city. As a society, we need not destroy the lines that separate, but must learn to cross these lines and interact while preserving the culture of each unique area.
posted by Erika at 5:54 PM
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